CALGARY—Dianne Corbiere, a lawyer from M’Chigeeng First Nation is among a group of individuals to be recognized with national 2019 Indspire Awards. The awards, which were previously known as the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, recognize Indigenous excellence across Canada in various categories.
Ms. Corbiere, along with Peter Dinsdale, a Curve Lake First Nation resident who is the president and CEO of YMCA Canada, will be receiving Indspire awards. They are among 12 recipients for 2019 and will be honoured at a reception in Calgary on February 22.
While The Recorder was unable to reach Ms. Corbiere for contact prior to this week’s press deadline, The Anishinabek News reported on October 22 that Ms. Corbiere is being recognized in the Law and Justice Category. Ms. Corbiere is a managing partner of Nahwegahbow, Corbiere Genoodmagejig/Barristers and Solicitors, a law firm located in Chippewas of Rama First Nation. She lives in a nearby rural community in Simcoe County.
Ms. Corbiere, who graduated from law school at the University of Toronto in 1995 told The Anishinabek News, “our firm represents First Nations exclusively. Having an opportunity to work for them is pretty important to me.”
She told Anishinabek News that she is thrilled to be honoured with an Indspire award. “From my perspective, this is the award for Indigenous people in Canada.”
In her law firm, Ms. Corbiere focuses on treaty and aboriginal rights for First Nations. She has represented numerous First Nations in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. In addition, she has also worked for tribal council and First Nation organizations and has assisted with issues about land claims, natural resource management, gaming, sovereignty and self-government as well as corporate and commercial law.
In 2012, Ms. Corbiere was the first Indigenous person named to Canadian Lawyer Magazine’s Top 25 influential lawyers list.
